Sewage Leak Repaired In Mill Pond Park; Cedar Mill Creek Affected

Portland, Ore. — Last night, crews successfully repaired a sewage leak on the northeast side of Mill Pond Park in the Forest Heights neighborhood of NW Portland. The incident has also affected portions of Cedar Mill Creek in Washington County.

Portland Environmental Services has issued an advisory urging individuals to refrain from coming into contact with the water in Mill Pond and the immediate downstream areas of Cedar Mill Creek for the next 48 hours. The water samples have shown elevated levels of bacteria. The advisory encompasses Jordan Woods Natural Area, located approximately a mile downstream from the source of the leak.

While Mill Pond is easily accessible, the affected segments of Cedar Mill Creek are surrounded by steep embankments, making access difficult. Warning signs have been placed around Mill Pond Park to notify the public.

Crews on-site have estimated that approximately 48,000 gallons of sewage leaked due to a break in a maintenance hole, leading to contamination of the pond which then flows into the creek. The leak was attended to by response teams from 2 p.m. yesterday until its containment at approximately 10 p.m.

Emergency repair work is ongoing, with crews in the process of installing a bypass system. This temporary measure will remain in operation while long-term repairs are planned and executed.